السيرة
Stephen ( Greek : Στέφανος , romanized : Stéphanos , lit. ' wreath, crown ' ; c. AD 5 – c. 34 ) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity . According to the Acts of the Apostles , he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death . Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become Paul the Apostle , was also involved as a witness in Stephen's execution.
The only source for information about Stephen is the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles. Stephen is mentioned in Acts 6 as one of the Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews selected to administer the daily charitable distribution of food to the Greek-speaking widows. The Catholic , Anglican , Oriental Orthodox , Eastern Orthodox , and Lutheran churches and the Church of the East venerate Stephen as a saint . Artistic representations often show Stephen with a crown symbolising martyrdom , three stones, martyr's palm frond , censer , and often holding a miniature church building.
Stephen is often shown as a young, beardless man with a tonsure , wearing a deacon's vestments .